Home Insurance Tips for the Holiday Season - 23 Dec 2009 12:13
Richard McGhee, Sales and Marketing Director of ADT Security, offers safety tips to protect your home during the holiday season. These handy holiday safety tips can help lessen the risk to your family and property.
The first and most important step before going away is to ensure that your burglar alarm is in working order. If your alarm is serviced at least once a year it should be in working order, but your security company will be able to check it for you before you leave. Summer storms, particularly inland, wreak havoc on alarm systems. Having a faulty alarm will give your insurer reason to repudiate a claim.
McGhee also recommends providing alternate access options for your security company. Many efforts to keep out burglars, such as high walls and electric fences, hinder your security company from protecting your home in case of an emergency. An EZI pad (an electric device attached to your driveway gate), for example, can be activated by your security company’s code to allow them access in the event of an emergency.
Also be discreet when packing and leaving for holiday, says McGhee. Park your car behind doors or in the garage especially when packing and never leave a message on your answering machine stating that you are out of town.
The holiday season, particularly in Johannesburg, is a high risk crime season. If at all possible get someone to housesite for your home or alternatively make arrangements with your security company to check up on your home regularly while you’re away.
Richard McGhee, Sales and Marketing Director of ADT Security, offers safety tips to protect your home during the holiday season. These handy holiday safety tips can help lessen the risk to your family and property.
The first and most important step before going away is to ensure that your burglar alarm is in working order. If your alarm is serviced at least once a year it should be in working order, but your security company will be able to check it for you before you leave. Summer storms, particularly inland, wreak havoc on alarm systems. Having a faulty alarm will give your insurer reason to repudiate a claim.
McGhee also recommends providing alternate access options for your security company. Many efforts to keep out burglars, such as high walls and electric fences, hinder your security company from protecting your home in case of an emergency. An EZI pad (an electric device attached to your driveway gate), for example, can be activated by your security company’s code to allow them access in the event of an emergency.
Also be discreet when packing and leaving for holiday, says McGhee. Park your car behind doors or in the garage especially when packing and never leave a message on your answering machine stating that you are out of town.
The holiday season, particularly in Johannesburg, is a high risk crime season. If at all possible get someone to housesite for your home or alternatively make arrangements with your security company to check up on your home regularly while you’re away.